White on target for big night

Paramount Kiwi (Father Patrick) is in for a couple of big harness racing weeks and it all starts with the IRT NZ Sires’ Stakes Three Year Old Trotters Championship at Alexandra Park tomorrow night, followed by the G1 Northern Trotting Derby a week later.

The three year old squaregaiter has been in great form this season winning his last two starts, both at the Park.

“It’s been three weeks between runs so there was plenty of time to back off him a bit and prepare him for this,” White said.

Paramount Kiwi draws five on the front row and White says he’s happy enough with that.

“Drawing inside Empire City could be an advantage. He leaves the gate well and he’s always done it on his own accord so that looks like the likely scenario. I think the ones inside of us would be happy enough to hand up to him and then we will just work it out from there. I’ll drive him the way he feels which is what I’ve aways done.”

Lord Popinjay (Majestic Son) represents the stable in Race Two. Despite his age, his form is solid.

“Lovely old horse who doesn’t go a bad race. Monica Ranger is on him to try and get half points (rating points) if he wins. She’s driven him a few times and knows him well. He’s been training well. He generally steps well and I think he’s an each way chance. He had to do a bit of work at his last start and hadn’t raced for a bit so you’d think there’d be natural improvement.”

The nicely bred White trained Aye Aye Captain (Captaintreacherous) faces a good field in the Jacobsen Headstones Mobile Pace. He’s won his last two races and from his inside second row draw he’s going to require some luck.

“He’s got a bit of high speed but he’s also quite genuine. He’s a horse that goes best when he doesn’t have to work early so that draw suits him in a way if he gets some luck. It depends on what happens early and what goes on around us.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink